H.B. OKs pierside project with retail, rooftop dining

The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to approved an addition to the Pierside Pavilion. The project will replace the palm trees, existing stairway and the Bank of America ATM kiosk with a four-story retail, office and restaurant space. Residents of the Pier Colony complex protested the project, saying it would block their ocean views and create a public safety hazard.SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1960: During the 60s the Golden Bear became a famous venue and over the next couple decades featured acts including Janis Joplin, the Doors and Bob Dylan.

1986: The Golden Bear was bulldozed after it was determined the building was not earthquake-safe

1990: Pierside Pavilion opens. The site included movie theaters and retail.

2006: The movie theaters closed.

2010: Pierside Pavilion owner Joe Daichendt announced he wanted to resurrect the Golden Bear but the idea did not receive enough support.

2012: The City Council votes 5-2 to approve expansion of the site with a four-story building with retail, offices and a restaurant with a rooftop feature.

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A proposed expansion that would add retail, office space and a restaurant with rooftop dining to Pierside Pavilion received support from city leaders Monday despite opposition from some neighbors who were concerned about losing their ocean views.

City Council members voted 5-2 Monday in favor of the project, which will add a nearly 28,000-square-foot, four-story building to the property at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. Council members Connie Boardman and Joe Shaw dissented.

The project was heavily contested by residents who live in the neighboring condominium complex, Pier Colony, who said it would violate city rules, block their ocean view, create too much noise and bring public safety issues.

"The original construction was an error to the Downtown Specific Plan," resident Tom McCann said. "The views of the residences are severely compromised and the fire lane is not wide enough."

However, business owners in the area and the majority of the council agreed the project would be good news for downtown Huntington Beach.

"This is a real improvement in the area," Councilman Joe Carchio said. "Any of the folks sitting up there will agree this space ... is underutilized."

Property owner Joe Daichendt told the council he was within his rights with this project.

"All the comments from neighboring private property owners are asking for private views to be awarded by some taking or grabbing from another private property owner," Daichendt said. "The project is supported by many groups and individuals."

The pavilion is currently home to Havaianas, Stuffed, Spark Woodfire Grill and Subway, among other businesses.

Boardman and Shaw said they thought the project was too big and unnecessarily infringed on a corridor between the pavilion and the condo complex.

"While I think there is no doubt that this building could be improved ... I just can't support this," Boardman said.

The corridor, which used to be 3rd Street and runs from Walnut Street to Pacific Coast Highway, was a point of contention between those in support of the project and those against it.

Residents cited the city's 1988 coastal plan and pointed to a rule that required 3rd Street to stay 60 feet wide. A stairway at Pierside Pavilion was built into the corridor and residents said they didn't want the open space to be infringed on any further.

"Tell the developer that he can't get away with ... destroying our view corridor ... without an environmental impact report," said resident Rob Bryant.

Residents said they believed if an environmental review was conducted it would conclude the project would need to be scaled back and measures taken to address any concerns about noise and ocean views.

However, city staff said the old rule did not apply to the current project and the project followed the city's standards for building in downtown.

The majority of the council agreed.

"It seems to me there's almost nothing you can build that doesn't bother the folks who are next door," Councilman Keith Bohr said.

Retailers have not yet been announced,but Daichendt said his goal is to attract upscale businesses that would draw high-end clientele and increase foot traffic to the rest of Pierside Pavilion.

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The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to approved an addition to the Pierside Pavilion. The project will replace the palm trees, existing stairway and the Bank of America ATM kiosk with a four-story retail, office and restaurant space. Residents of the Pier Colony complex protested the project, saying it would block their ocean views and create a public safety hazard. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The expansion of Pierside Pavilion includes adding retail, offices and a restaurant with a rooftop bar. Some residents who live next to Pierside Pavilion are contesting the project saying it violates city rules and would strip 35 residents of their ocean views. PHOTO COURTESY PIER COLONY RESIDENTS
Tom and Carol McCann, residents of the Pier Colony condominium complex on Pacific Coast Highway oppose the addition of the Pierside Pavilion next door. They and other residents say it will block their ocean views and make it impossible for a fire engine to gain access to their building from that side. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The view from the fourth floor balcony of Tom and Carol McCann, residents of the Pier Colony condominium complex on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. The addition to the Pierside Pavilion mixed use building next door would fill in the entire existing open space where the palm trees now stand. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A banner on the existing Pierside Pavilion sign on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach advertises a new restaurant and office space. SAM GANGWER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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